My two boys

[Acj8705]

I've got two males approx 10/11 weeks
They differ GREATLY in size BY 40 + GRAMS but I'm 99% sure are from the same litter.
I've had them for about 6 weeks now.
The larger of the two has become EXTREMELY aggressive...
I now feed him through the bars... The smaller of the two is still allowing me to pick him up- hand feed- bathe when necessary... But the larger- Louie has become impossible...he growls charges at the bars and the couple of times I did take him out to clean the enclosure he took off like a bat outta he'll and was an absolute nightmare to try to catch!
I'm at a loss as to what to do... I have been bringing the cage outside so they can get used to the sights/smells... I don't want to separate them - I want to release them together... But I dont think the little ones anywhere near ready...
They're both weaned... Eating picky blocks/veggies/ and oxbow regal rat food...and an occational pecan/ or walnut

Please any advice would be GREATLY APPRECIATED.

[Spanky]

Fourteen (14) weeks is the minimum age to begin the soft release process, so you have a few weeks yet.

How often do they get nuts... Nuts (and seeds) are probably the number one reason squirrels become aggressive... we call it a "nut aggression".

Another trigger for aggression is smells... consider any strong soap, shampoo, cologne / perfume, hairspray, etc. type of smells that may be triggering him. We have even seen (often) an otherwise passive squirrel become aggressive "out of the blue" with their caregiver which they have never been aggressive before simply because they had just showered (or washed their hand, put on hand lotion, etc.) just prior to interacting with the squirrel.

Are there other people that interact with him and does he have the same response... squirrels often will tolerate only one person (usually the primary care-giver) and show aggression for everyone else... this is normal and expected.

At this age they should not need bathing and should be self grooming and very clean.

[Acj8705]

I haven't bathed him in probably three-and-a-half to four weeks I did at that point only because I couldn't get the milk off of his face and he was quite dirty. My husband and I both care for them he's acting that way towards both of us it's not just one or the other. The other squirrel that's in the same cage which is his brother from the same litter is very tame he doesn't give us any problems when we take him out. They do not get nuts very often as they're eating Oxbow Regal rat food and had Henry's picky blocks a pecan every other day or a walnut they also get veggies that are approved

[CritterMom]

Well, the little one is likely the runt and he likely is a bit behind compared to his alpha sibling! But honestly, they are like humans - every one has their own very distinct personality.

My concern is that there are nuts or other food stashed in their cage. That will make them crazy - the likes of YOU getting that close to the precious stash... Stashes need to be closely policed and cleared away for everyone's sanity. And don't try to do it with him in there - someone needs to spirit him away so you can do your dirty deed.